Pro-Israel rally crashed in Sweden

A pro-Israel rally in Malmo, Sweden was torn apart Sunday by pro-Palestinian residents who arrived on the scene with eggs, bottles, and tear gas grenades which they threw at Israel's supporters. Police dispersed the entire crowd.

Hundreds of people took part in the rally in support of Israel, which was held at the city's main square. Elad Meier, a Bnei Akiva and Jewish Agency envoy to Sweden said it was organized by a committee of volunteers from the Jewish community and outside of it.

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Pro-Israel demonstration in Malmo (Photo: Elad Meier)

Protestors carried signs that said 'Stop eight years of Qassams' and 'Peace for children in Israel and Gaza'. The organizers received a police permit for the demonstration.

However, a number of pro-Palestinian protestors who did not have a permit to demonstrate took to the streets in retaliation to the approved rally. They were not dispersed by police despite lacking a permit.

"At some point, about a half an hour after the protest began, pro-Palestinian protestors began to throw eggs, bottles, and even a tear gas grenade," Meier recounted.

He added that the lawless protestors disconnected the speakers brought to the square by the Jewish community while its leader was speaking. The act brought the pro-Israel rally to an end, as others could not speak.

At this point, Meier said, police stepped in and asked the unruly protestors to leave. Officers then proceeded to clear the square of all present, including those who had received permission to demonstrate.

The pro-Israel protestors were angered by the police's conduct and lodged an official complaint stating that only those who had protested without a permit should have been dispersed.